In 2001 Emir Hamad ibn Isa al-Khalifah accelerated the constitutional and political reforms that he had begun the previous year. On February 14–15, Bahrainis approved by referendum the National Action Charter by an overwhelming majority—98.4%. The charter, proposed by the government, promised democratic reforms, including parliamentary elections and a separation of powers. Subsequently, the emir released 900 political prisoners and allowed hundreds of exiled Bahrainis and their families to return from abroad. The emir also abolished the unpopular state security law and the state security court, both of which had given “exceptional powers” to the government. The government further promised a law to allow the establishment of professionals’ and workers’ unions.

Despite reforms, however, unemployment remained high—10% among men and much higher among women. It still constituted the main source of social tension in Bahrain. Political stability was essential, since Bahrain aimed to become a centre of trade and finance in the Persian Gulf.

On March 16 the International Court of Justice in The Hague reached its verdict on the Bahrain-Qatar border dispute. Since the 1930s the two countries had disputed ownership of several territories, chief among them the Hawar Islands, which were reputed to be a rich source of natural gas. The court ruled in favour of Bahrain on the Hawar Islands but awarded Qatar some smaller islands. Both Bahrain and Qatar welcomed the decision, and relations between the two countries improved to the point where they agreed to link their countries with a 45-km (28-mi) bridge.Louay Bahry